Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Emotion Regulation Difficulties Mediate Associations Between Betrayal Trauma and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress, Depression, and Anxiety

Rachel E. Goldsmith et al. — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:33:07 PDT

Emotion regulation difficulties following trauma exposure have received increasing attention among researchers and clinicians. Previous work highlights the role of emotion regulation difficulties in multiple forms of psychological distress and identifies emotion regulation capacities as especially compromised among survivors of betrayal trauma: physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment perpetrated by someone to whom the victim is close, such as a parent or partner. It is unknown, however, whether links between emotion regulation difficulties and psychological symptoms differ following exposure to betrayal trauma as compared with other trauma types. In the present study, 593 male and female university undergraduates completed the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale (Gratz & Roemer, 2004), the Brief Betrayal Trauma Scale (Goldberg & Freyd, 2006), the Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz, Wilner, & Alvarez, 1979), and the Trauma Symptom Checklist (Elliott & Briere, 1992). A path analytic model demonstrated that betrayal trauma indirectly impacted symptoms of intrusion (β = .11), avoidance (β = .13), depression (β = .17), and anxiety (β = .14) via emotion regulation difficulties, an effect consistent with mediation. Emotion regulation difficulties did not mediate the relationship between other trauma exposure and psychological symptoms. Results may inform treatment-matching efforts, and suggest that emotion regulation difficulties may constitute a key therapeutic target following betrayal trauma.

The Ubiquitous Clicker SoTL Applications for Scientist–Educators

R. Eric Landrum — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:30:34 PDT

Over 5 semesters and 10 sections, students in a 300-level research methods course used clickers to respond to knowledge-based and opinion/attitude questions about clicker use, the effectiveness of assignments, self-confidence regarding skills and abilities, and more. Changes during the semester and student answers to questions about pedagogy and the execution of the course were compared to course grades (total points earned). Students perceive clicker use positively, reporting that they attend more, pay better attention, and participate more than they normally would due to clicker use. Other positive indicators do emerge linking the achievement of course goals to student performance. Outcomes are discussed in the context of how scientist–educators are encouraged to study scholarship of teaching and learning-type questions in order to be effective teachers.

Using the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning to Improve Learning Outcomes

Regan A. R. Gurung et al. — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:47:30 PST

Selection of Textbooks or Readings for Your Course

R. Eric Landrum — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:40:24 PST

In the design and implementation of teaching for a college course, it is important to consider which textbook or readings to use. In this chapter, I first summarize general advice from other authors about textbook selection. Next, I summarize the research on factors affecting textbook selection. Finally, I discuss the possibility of using course readings.

Indirect Expression of Preference in Sketch Maps

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:06:59 PST

First graders, fifth graders, university students, and older adults drew sketch maps of familiar environments. Not until after the sketch maps were collected did subjects have any idea that the study had anything to do with expression of preferences. At that time, subjects were asked to identify (recall) objects located in the environment drawn that they liked most, disliked most, and about which they felt neutral These items were compared with other items on the sketch maps to determine whether they were drawn on the same scale, were emphasized, or were absent. A similar pattern of results was found across age groups; most of the subjects did not draw items they disliked on their sketch maps. These results suggested a dissociation between indirect (map drawing) and direct (specific recall) approaches to expressing preferences.

Mood and Lexical Access of Positive, Negative, and Neutral Words

Garvin Chastain et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:01:03 PST

Two experiments based upon the Reicher task were conducted to investigate the influence of happy, sad, and neutral moods on the processing of positive, negative, and neutral words. In Experiment 1 participants showed least advantage in determining which of two one-letter-different words, in comparison with nonword controls, had been presented for words that were valenced in congruence with the induced mood. In Experiment 2 mood acted as a prime that produced a detrimental effect of presenting nontarget mood-congruent preview words on participants' performance on the valenced targets. The authors contend that these effects are related to mood’s altering of the baseline activation levels of congruently valenced word nodes in the mental lexicon as well as to mood’s narrowing of the spatial focus of attention.

Conscious and Unconscious Retrieval in Picture Recognition: A Framework for Exploring Gender Differences

Linda J. Anooshian et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:50:17 PST

The authors explored gender differences by examining 2 distinct memory processes involved in recognizing pictures that were scenes captured from videotapes. For Study 1, the authors used a process dissociation procedure (L. J. Anooshian & P. S. Seibert, 1995; L. L. Jacoby, 1991) to obtain separate estimates of the contributions of recollection (conscious retrieval) and sense of familiarity (unconscious retrieval) in recognizing scenes along previously viewed routes of travel. Women obtained higher familiarity scores than did men, whereas no gender difference emerged for conscious recollection. In Study 2, the authors tested both preschool children and adults and found results similar to those in Study 1 for a task with pictures captured from children's cartoons, regardless of age. The results from these studies illustrated the need for greater attention to diverse memory processes when investigating individual differences, including gender differences, in diverse task domains.

Diversity Within Spatial Cognition: Memory Processes Underlying Place Recognition

Linda J. Anooshian et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:41:53 PST

We conducted three experiments to explore distinct memory processes involved in remembering places in spatial environments. The results of all three experiments demonstrated the viability of the process-dissociation procedure for studying spatial cognition; that procedure yielded separate measures of the role of familiarity (implicit memory) and conscious recollection (explicit memory) in recognizing scenes along a previously viewed route of travel. Those measures were not affected by whether the participants viewed videotapes or also physically walked the route of travel. Increasing the delay between encoding and retrieval led to comparable effects for familiarity and conscious recollection (Experiment 1). In contrast, the adverse consequences of dividing attention during encoding were specific to conscious recollection; familiarity estimates were unaffected (Experiments 2 and 3). Overall, the results reinforced the viability of process dissociation as a vehicle for exploring diverse memory processes underlying place recognition.

Effects of Emotional Mood States in Recognizing Places: Disentangling Conscious and Unconscious Retrieval

Linda J. Anooshian et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:38:34 PST

The effects of emotional mood states on remembering scenes along a route of travel were examined in two experiments. For Experiment 1, 48 participants were exposed to a route of travel following a sad, happy, or neutral mood-induction procedure. Process dissociation (Jacoby, 1991) was used to derive separate estimates of the relative roles of conscious recollection and sense of familiarity (unconscious retrieval) in recognizing scenes. Conscious recollection, but not familiarity, was adversely affected by being in an emotional mood state during exposure. For Experiment 2, 24 participants given neutral mood induction were divided according to self-reports of induced mood. Participants in the sad mood group selected more old frames such as "looking sad" in a later test of implicit memory (unconscious retrieval) than did those in the happy mood group. These results reinforced that researchers must address diverse memory processes to understand the role of emotional mood states in spatial cognition.

Case Study Music and the Brain: The Impact of Music on an Oboist's Fight for Recovery

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:34:12 PST

A 20-year-old female, alias Sara, was an aspiring professional oboist who studied music performance at college level. While wading across a river she lost her balance, was swept down river, and suffered profound injuries including severe hypothermia, cardiac arrest, and hypoxic brain injury. While recovering, her family and friends surrounded Sara with music. Her oboe teacher placed Sara's oboe in her hand and played tapes of Sara's past performances. Her mother played recordings of her favourite music in hopes that the music would remind her of her life's passion and, thus, stimulate her mind and soul while she recovered. Two years post-injury, Sara continues to strive to improve her quality of life. In this case study, Sara's musical and medical recovery is detailed using quantitative and qualitative data. This data gathered allows one to provide an analysis of the powerful role of music in Sara's fight to recover.

Brain Injury: Quality of Life's Greatest Challenge

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:24:36 PST

The objectives of this investigation were to (1) identify elements that comprise an acceptable quality of life (Q-L) post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) from the perspectives of patients and families, and (2) explore patient and family satisfaction with treatment decisions relevant to QoL. The authors created, tested, and administered two forms (patient; family) of a 35-question interview to 33 participants in a longitudinal TBI study (14 women, 19 men) and 33 associated family members. Men associated ratings of QoL with numerous variables, while women's responses revealed no significant relationships shared by QoL and other variables. Women reported a poorer QoL than did men. Older patients reported a better QoL than did younger patients. Families emphasized the family relationship, emotional control, and ability to concentrate when considering overall QoL. Patients did not. The majority of patients and families expressed satisfaction with decisions made about acute treatment. QoL research is essential to illuminate best practice models.

A Checklist to Facilitate Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

P. S. Seibert et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:17:44 PST

United States of America demographic profiles illustrate a nation rich in cultural and racial diversity. Approximately 29% of the population are minorities and demographic projections indicate an increase to 50% by the year 2050. This creates a highly mobile and constantly changing environment, revealing the need for new levels of cultural awareness and sensitivity. These issues are particularly critical in the medical community where medical professionals must understand the impact cultural differences and barriers can have on evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation. During times of stress, such as when injury strikes, problems associated with lack of cultural sensitivity are intensified. Cultural diversity is of particular concern when standard measures for diagnosis and prognosis are derived from established norms for responding, because culture defines norms. This paper details a ten point checklist designed to facilitate cultural awareness and sensitivity in medical settings to ensure maximum successful recovery and outcomes for all patients.

Cranio-Cervical Stabilization of Traumatic Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation with Minimal Resultant Neurological Deficit

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:04:18 PST

Our purpose is to describe a case of atlanto-occipital dislocation and discuss treatment approaches to minimize subsequent neurological deficits. Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation, has traditionally been considered rare and lethal, due to resulting high levels of spinal cord injury. Outcomes are generally expected to be poor. However, recent case reports indicate that survival is increasing. Of patients who survive cranio-cervical dislocation, many endure resulting neurological deficits.

We present a rare case of a 23-year-old male, who sustained an atlanto-occipital dislocation in a motor vehicle accident. The patient presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 11T. Lateral C-spine x-ray and thin-section slices CT delineated a C1 ring fracture on the left side with approximately 1 cm anterior and superior subluxation of the occipital condyles of the cranium in reference to C1. The patient was completely awake, alert, and was following commands.

The patient underwent a cranio-cervical stabilization from occiput to C3, using lateral mas screws (C1–C3) and transarticular screws (C2–C3). The Vertex (Medtronics) system used included longitudinal bars connected to the lateral mas plating system, which was subsequently used to place screws within the keel of the occipital bone. Motor strength and sensation remained intact following surgery. One-week post-operation, the patient was ambulating 140 feet, conversationally appropriate, and had a GCS of 15. This case illustrates the possibility for neurosurgical intervention of cranio-cervical dislocations to achieve optimal outcome and demonstrates that survival from this injury is not only conceivable, but recovery of function is also possible.

The Emerging Role of Telemedicine in Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Disorders

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:54:47 PST

Over one-third of adults are at risk of developing sleep disorders. Telemedicine is emerging as an effective tool in sleep medicine by allowing people to undergo sleep studies without overnight hospital stays (e.g. monitoring at home). Telemedicine has the potential to overcome several obstacles in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders by offering increased access to sleep specialists, enhancing health-care support for patients in their homes and providing cost-effective professional education. The initial costs for telemedicine equipment and training are not insignificant; however, the benefits may outweigh the expense over time. However, recapturing the initial costs cannot be assumed.

Telemedicine Facilitates CHF Home Health Care for Those with Systolic Dysfunction

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:27:13 PST

An estimated 5 million Americans have congestive heart failure (CHF) and one in five over the age of 40 will develop CHF. There are numerous examples of CHF patients living beyond the years normally expected for people with the disease, usually attributed to taking an active role in disease management. A relatively new alternative for CHF outpatient care is telemedicine and e-health. We investigated the effects of a 6-week in-home telemedicine education and monitoring program for those with systolic dysfunction on the utilization of health care resources. We also measured the effects of the unit 4.5 months after its removal (a total of 6 months post introduction of the unit into the home). Concurrently, we assessed participants' perceptions of the value of having a telemedicine unit. Participants in the telemedicine group reported weighing more times a week with less variability than did the control group. Telemedicine led to a reduction in physician and emergency department visits and those in the experimental group reported the unit facilitating self-care, though this was not significantly different from the control group (possibly due to small sample size). These findings suggest a possibility for improvement in control of CHF when telemedicine is implemented. Our review of the literature also supports the role of telemedicine in facilitating home health care and self-management for CHF patients. There are many challenges still to be addressed before this potential can be reached and further research is needed to identify opportunities in telemedicine.

The Importance of a Thorough Needs Assessment

Pennie S. Seibert — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:05:38 PST

Telemedicine Research: Opportunities and Challenges

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:54:46 PST

Telemedicine is emerging as an effective tool that can potentially enhance the ability to provide quality health care in hospitals, professional offices, and homes. Applications have demonstrated success in a wide range of disciplines and are particularly important for rural communities in hopes of advancing health care practices to these areas that may not have the same advantages, resources, or specialists. Research into this exciting field has led to challenges rather unique to telemedicine. The demands for appropriate research methods and tools for each application have become more complex because of the variety of fields involved and issues specific to telemedicine.

Telemedicine research commonly encompasses various sites and review boards, which introduces more challenges. Adding to the complexity of telemedicine research are the ethical and legal issues associated with the use of technology, enrolling participants, transmitting data, confidentiality, and licensing. Illuminating perceptions and level of satisfaction could help identify methods of facilitating acceptance of telemedicine and expedite the transition from using solely traditional methods of health care to including telemedicine. Despite all the challenges, telemedicine presents many opportunities and brings such promise to the increasing shortage of health care providers. Accordingly, it is vital for researchers to address and overcome these challenges.

Exploring the Versatility of Telemedicine in Diverse Medical Arenas

Pennie S. Seibert et al. — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:38:52 PST

The Arduous Path Toward Healthcare Reform: Is Unification of Ideals and Realities Possible?

Christian G. Zimmerman et al. — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:23:46 PST

The American healthcare system is in a state of crisis, and through it, the ethical protocols of the medical profession have been called into question. The 50.7 million uninsured Americans,^14,24 the rising cost of insurance for individuals and small businesses, hospital inefficiencies and scandals, and the ambiguous relationship shared by the legal and medical professions have made healthcare delivery increasingly difficult for neurosurgeons and other medical professionals to perform their jobs. By scrutinizing the current status of the healthcare system with an understanding of ideals, ethics and the realities of America’s healthcare crisis, adjustments can be made and the integrity of the medical profession can be maintained.

Treating Students as Early-Career Professionals: The Ethics of Teaching

Maureen A. McCarthy et al. — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:52:04 PST

The ethics of teaching (not to be confused with the teaching of ethics) is not typically considered a hot topic, but perhaps it should be. The practice of teaching involves careful delivery of content using pedagogically sound methods. Teaching ethically includes supervising and evaluating students carefully, navigating complex relationships, ensuring equity, and balancing academic freedom with responsibility. In each instance, educators must balance ethics, consider the role of integrity, and act in ways that are in students’ best interests. In this chapter, we reflect on the ethics of teaching with respect to honoring diversity in the classroom, how to select course materials and methods of teaching, and how to navigate interpersonal relationships in a professional manner. In each instance, we consider how faculty might invite students into a discussion about the ethical issues faculty members face, and how those issues can be resolved in an ethical and transparent way. By presenting ethical issues in a way that opens but does not enflame controversy, instructors offer students an important model of professional behavior that will serve them in whatever career they ultimately choose.